Thursday, March 24, 2016

CeDora, a stunt rider in her teens, she was a Wall of Death and Globe of Death specialist, had a unique Indian Globe her entire career

in April 1909 she appeared on the cover of The Motorcycle News magazine. At that time she was performing in New York City’s Hippodrome theatre, the largest theatre of its type in the world.

A pioneer in every sense, CeDora’s attire in that first photograph was quite possibly the most shocking thing about her, high cut shorts and a short sleeved shirt were downright shocking in 1909.https://www.facebook.com/archivemoto/?fref=nf

I'm wondering, does anyone know why the tires are taped to the rims? I suppose it's to keep them from spinning on the rims, as the quality wasn't likely to be very high for tire to rim contact specs.

Lloyd commented, and affirmed my speculation:

Before 1928 tires were of the clincher type and were notorious for slipping on the rim or coming off the rim with any pressure loss or under high loads, often with dire consequences. Clincher tires would be more than dangerous under the high loads generated on a wall and the ties would have acted to keep the lady safe at speed. The Cannonball run and most vintage groups allow clincher tires to be wired to the rim or replaced with drop center rim tires for safety reasons.

I didn't even know that I'd photographed her motorcycle before! But Steve was looking, and found it.... ain't that crazy?

2 comments:

Before 1928 tires were of the clincher type and were notorious for slipping on the rim or coming off the rim with any pressure loss or under high loads, often with dire consequences. Clincher tires would be more than dangerous under the high loads generated on a wall and the ties would have acted to keep the lady safe at speed. The Cannonball run and most vintage groups allow clincher tires to be wired to the rim or replaced with drop center rim tires for safety reasons.